Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon presents retired Senior Constable Craig Campbell with the Commissioner's Commendation for Courage. Picture supplied

The bravery of a police officer who took on an angry mob and saved two young men in a train carriage during the Cronulla riots has been formally recognised 20 years later.

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Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon presented retired Senior Constable Craig Campbell with the Commissioner's Commendation for Courage at a ceremony on Tuesday April 7.

"Mr Campbell is a deserving recipient of one of the highest honours within the NSW Police Force," Commissioner Lanyon said.

Senior Constable Craig Campbell wields a baton on Cronulla station. Picture 9 News

"He showed enormous courage and bravery in what was a volatile and dangerous situation, and I have no doubt his actions saved lives that day."

The commissioner said the ceremony was made more special by Mr Campbell's elderly mother being able to watch her son receive this honour from her hospital bed via livestream on a mobile phone.

"This is a powerful reminder of the importance of families and loved ones who stand behind and support all of our officers," he said.

"I wish Mr Campbell every success and thank him for his service to the NSW community."

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon presents retired Senior Constable Craig Campbell with the Commissioner's Commendation for Courage. Picture supplied

The belated recognition followed a report by veteran 9 Network journalist Simon Bouda on the 20th anniversary of the riots, which revealed Mr Campbell had been recommended for a bravery award, which he had never received.

Retired Assistant Commissioner Mark Goodwin, who was in command of the police operation on the day of the initial riot, said the award was "long overdue".

"Despite being recommended by his peers, and highly supported by his Local Commander Robert Redfern and myself 20 years ago, sadly such recognition was lost in the politics of the day," he said.

Senior Constable Craig Campbell wields a baton in a train carriage at Cronulla station. Picture 9 News

"During the Cronulla Riots and Revenge Attacks many deserving officers went way above any reasonable expectation to restore order during a public disorder situation that was unprecedented in Australia, yet their extraordinary efforts went unrecognised.

"During the Cronulla riots, on numerous occasions, Craig Campbell disregarded his own safety and put his own body and welfare on the line to rescue others in life threatening situations.

"Many will recall the imagery of Craig clearing an entire train carriage and railway station of rioters with his baton, thus saving innocent persons that were being violently attacked by the mob, from serious injury or worse."

Mr Goodwin was present at the award ceremony at Mr Campbell's request.

"Craig is a humble guy and one of the best police officers I've had the privilege to work alongside," Mr Goodwin said.

"It was especially moving to see Craig's 94-year-old mother witness her son finally being recognised from her hospital bed, as the award ceremony was 'live streamed' to her."

Mr Goodwin thanked Commissioner Lanyon, who "despite the passage of time, took the time out of his hugely busy schedule to review this matter and set right what should have occurred two decades ago".

"In my view, that is a strong indicator of his outstanding leadership and a real live show of his honest support for his front line troops," he said.

"His actions make me a very proud retired ex-police commander and the NSW Police is in very good hands."